Chapter 21:
As Lily and I walked into school that morning, still riding the soft happiness of being back, we were immediately greeted by what looked like a live drama episode.
Remember Beau? The tall, dark-haired guy, sometimes green or yellow, whom everyone adored? Yes, that Beau, the one I once caught juggling two girls at the same time and somehow escaping the consequences.
Well.
Not today, he didn't.
Right in the middle of the corridor, Luna, his current girlfriend, slapped him.
The sound echoed.
"Can't you just see what's in front of you and focus on that? I thought this was just the surface. What is wrong with you?" she shouted, tears filling her eyes. "I'm tired, Beau. I am tired of making excuses for you all the time. Let's just end this."
And just like that, she walked away. It was a pitiful scene.
For a split second, Beau stood there holding his jaw. I swear I saw something flicker across his face — shock, maybe even regret. Something real.
But it vanished just as quickly.
He straightened up, adjusted his jacket, and approached a random girl nearby.
"As you can see," he said smoothly, "I'm now single and ready to mingle. Catch me after school."
He winked.
And the show continued.
Lily grabbed my wrist. "Let's get out of here before we get dragged into this circus."
That's when I knew something was off.
Lily is usually the observer, the quiet analyst who turns every hallway scandal into a full documentary episode later. But today? She wasn't amused. She was tense.
As we tried to leave, Beau stepped right in front of us.
"Well, look who it is," he said, eyes landing on me. "New hairstyle? I see you've upgraded. I can work with that. Maybe we can continue what we talked about before."
Before I could even respond, Lily stepped forward.
"Still haven't learned your lesson?" she said coldly. "I don't think she has anything to say to you. Move."
Beau smirked. "Oh? Feisty, I see," He tilted his head slightly. "You never disappoint. Guess the party pooper is back as usual."
Party pooper?
Lily?
He looked at me once more. "We'll talk again, Lea."
And then — unbelievably — he left.
No argument. No ego battle. Nothing.
Just because Lily said so.
That felt… wrong. Too familiar.
Lily was visibly irritated, jaw tight, eyes somewhere far away. I didn't ask. Sometimes you can tell when someone isn't ready to talk.
Behind us, Beau's fan club had already gathered, attacking Luna verbally like she'd committed a crime.
"She didn't deserve him anyway."
" He wasn't meant to be with anyone; that will make her learn."
"He's too good for her."
"She'll regret it."
People are strange.
Back in class, I noticed Matt's seat was still empty. He hadn't come back since the trip.
I didn't know whether to feel worried or relieved.
Worried — because something might be wrong.
Relieved — because I honestly didn't know how to face him after everything. Since when do I reject confessions? Me? Lea? My life really had turned upside down.
The lunch bell rang.
Usually, Lily races toward my lunchbox like it's a treasure. But today she slowed down.
"Can you eat alone today?" she asked casually. "I'm not really hungry. I will be resting at the infirmary."
I frowned. "Are you okay? Want me to come with you?"
"No, no. I'll be fine. Just go first."
And she practically pushed me away.
Something was definitely strange.
On my way to the rooftop, someone suddenly pulled me into a quiet corner and into an empty classroom. My heart almost jumped out of my body.
Before I could protest—
"Relax. It's me."
Jack.
"Oh my God," I exhaled. "Stop doing that. You scare me."
"Sorry," he said, letting go of my arm. "I just wanted to see you."
Since the bullying incident, we'd agreed not to make our relationship public. No unnecessary attention. No fan club drama.
"I brought lunch," I said. "Lily's not feeling well today, so… do you want to share?"
His face lit up like I had offered him the world.
We sat down. When I opened my lunchbox, he leaned closer, eyes wide in admiration.
"Ha," he said, opening his mouth dramatically.
I turned bright red.
He looked so cute, I couldn't even process it.
I fed him.
And then I started giggling.
Not elegant giggling. Not cute giggling. Just completely flustered, giggling.
He laughed at me, and somehow that made it worse, and better, at the same time.
It was calm. Quiet. Ours.
When lunch ended, we separated before anyone could see us.
On my way back to class, I passed by the school garden.
And that's when I saw them.
Lily.
And Beau.
I instinctively stepped behind a tree. Yes, I know. Eavesdropping is wrong. But tell me you wouldn't have done the same. I know you want to know too.
Beau steps closer to Lily, his expression unreadable. He put his head on her shoulder and said.
"I just got dumped in front of the whole school. I thought you'd at least pity me this time."
Lily let out a tired sigh. "Beau...Can you move? I... have class."
"Just five minutes," he begged, "You used to comfort me. We used to be inseparable."
Her face got all red, and she stood there with her hand up, trying to figure out if she should remove him or let him on her shoulder. She took a deep breath and said with anger and disappointment.
"Oh, I don't know," she shot back. "Maybe ask yourself who changed first. Who started acting like someone I don't even recognize anymore."
There was pain in her voice.
Real pain.
"I know every word from you is fake now," she added quietly. "So please get off."
I had never heard Lily speak or sound like that before.
Never.
Beau's confident smile wasn't there anymore. Just frustration. He stood and just looked at her.
Regret? Hard to say.
I slipped away before they noticed me, my head spinning with questions.
What happened between them?
What did he do?
And why did it feel like I was only just discovering that the people around me had entire stories I'd never seen?
That day, I sat in class pretending nothing had happened.
But inside, I knew something had shifted.
And I had a feeling this wasn't over.